Mack is 4 weeks old today.This morning I took the boys to music in the park. I ran a few minutes late because I tried again to shove the double stroller in my trunk with no luck. Yep, the darn thing won't fit into my trunk. I am really not sure what I'm supposed to do when I need the double stroller and can't take it with? And the stroller I got is 20% smaller than all double strollers out on the market. Imagine I didn't get this one, any other would definitely NOT fit. I need a bigger car, but I refuse to be a mini-van mom. Something in between suits me just fine!
Today he also went to the doctor to get weighed again. That's the only thing we did at the appointment today. We wanted to make sure he was gaining a good amount of weight after the tongue-tie clipping we two weeks ago. His doctor is going on vacation tomorrow for a month, and I'm glad everything is okay, otherwise we'd have to be followed by another doctor while she was away. I told her my goal weight for Mack was 50 grams per day. His last weigh in was at 3060g and 50 grams per day would bring Mack to 3410 grams. What did he weigh in today at? 3400 grams. CLOSE ENOUGH! He gained 48.5 grams per day over the last week. That's damn good! So now, Mack weighs 10 grams shy of 7 lbs and 8 oz which is 7 and a half pounds. I'm so proud of him.I also remembered to ask her what percentile he was born in. He was born in the 10th percentile. (This is an improvement for me, as Sean was born in the 5th percentile). And today, at 7 and a half pounds, Mack is still in the 10th percentile. I am not worried though, as Sean is today (and has been for a while now) in the 50th percentile. So Mack will catch up, I'm sure. The only difference is that Sean was formula fed (was half formula and half breast milk fed (pumping) until 6 weeks but after my milk ran dry, it was only formula he was getting), and Mack is exclusively nursing right now. We'll see how fast Mack catches up to the 50th percentile.
These are the only slippers that Mack's tiny feet fit into. I have a ton of slippers/sandals/shoes for Mack once his tiny feet are a little bit bigger. But right now, I'll keep them warm with these little bunnies. How adorable!
This is the ring that I got in 2 different colors the other day when I went out to get the shoes. Aren't they fabulous??? I just love them. They are fun to dress up & dress down!This evening I got some knitting done (trying to make more knitting time lately) and I also started to read The 7 O'Clock Bedtime by Inda Schaenen. After reading the first couple of pages, it seems that I'm doing EVERYTHING wrong with my children. Everything the experts say NOT to do, apparently I do it. From TV watching, to bedtime, to daily activities, to you name it... I do it wrong. According to them, I've got bad parenting skills. Do I think I'm doing things wrong? Yes, but NOT to that extent. I must be doing some things right that Sean turned out okay. Obviously I want to make some changes so that Mack doesn't get bad sleeping habits, and I want to change Sean's routine so that he goes to bed at a decent hour, but I didn't think I was doing things that off course. Anyhow, the book is only 150 pages, so I'm going to stick with it, and go with the flow. Just because I'm reading it, doesn't mean I have to take the advice in the end if I think it'll not work for us, but I'll give it a chance.
Breastfeeding....
Yeah.....
Well, you already know that I am having my doubts about it. Don't get me wrong, I think that it's better than formula for Mack to be drinking it. That's why with Sean I tried to pump as much as I could until my milk ran dry, since I couldn't get him to latch, I still wanted him to have breast milk for as long as I could provide it to him (which was until he was 6 weeks old).
My issues right now:
One is that only I can feed Mack. Obviously Jamie can't feed him. There are times when Sean just wants to cuddle with me before bed, and I can't because I'm nursing Mack. Jamie wishes he could help out, but I'm not pumping yet, (I'm worried about feeding Mack a bottle and him not wanting to go back on the breast afterwards).
Another issue is nursing in public. I don't like to do it. I don't feel comfortable doing it. I don't have a choice sometimes, as I have to feed Mack. The nursing wrap is annoying as it's hard to get Mack to latch back - sometimes he pulls himself off of me in the middle of nursing and to get him back on, I have to see what I'm doing. So what's the point of the nursing wrap if I have to expose myself to get him to latch back. While I don't find there anything to be wrong with nursing in public, and while it's more and more common these days for women to nurse in public, as well as there be places of business that have nursing areas, etc... I just don't know if it's for me. So what do I do in that case? Stay home until I'm done nursing? Who knows how many months that will be? And on another note with nursing in this regard, I feel that Mack is just constantly on my boob, and I never get out of the house anyhow... so maybe I won't be doing a lot of nursing in public to begin with...
Time. Nursing sucks a lot of time. I remember feeding Sean his bottles, I knew exactly how much he was getting, and it would take maybe 10 minutes to feed him. Nursing Mack can be 10-15 sometimes 20 minutes per side, and that's if it satisfies him. Sometimes I've had him latched for a total of almost an hour between both sides. (Growth spurts?) And while I'm nursing Mack I can't do much else besides watch TV or read. (The middle of the night feeding, I'm pretty much half asleep feeding him. I've woken up in the morning with myself still exposed because he latched on somehow in the middle of the night, drank what he wanted and then fell asleep). Now, if he had just had a bottle, it would be bing-bang-done, and back to his bassinet. The middle of the night feedings are the ones that are the most brutal. Oh gosh, are they brutal. I forgot about the waking up every 2-3 hours to feed a newborn when I decided to get pregnant again!
Then there's the discomfort. I thought you weren't supposed to feel the nursing, so says a friend of mine. But when I mentioned this to Mack's doctor today, she told me that I should be feeling him on my breast, because if I wasn't then he wasn't latched on my breast properly and probably wasn't eating properly. Though, even though he's latched on properly, there are times on my left side only that I feel discomfort when nursing him. This discomfort is a slight pain. I don't get why I'm having it, even though his doctor has made sure he's latching properly and all that jazz.... I don't really want to be in discomfort while nursing him for however long we stick to nursing. (I can't see myself going past 6 months of nursing, if it lasts that long).
I don't know how long I'm going to last nursing. I know that I want to give Mack the same 6 weeks that Sean got (though Sean was supplemented with formula). At 6 weeks (in 2 weeks time), I'll re-evaluate my thoughts/opinions and see where I stand with nursing, and see if the nursing perhaps takes less time then I'll maybe stick with it. Don't get me wrong, there are tons of pros to breastfeeding as well. (Like being able to feed my child on demand without having to prep a bottle, the nutrients and good stuff that a child cannot get from formula, even as much as it says it's "just like breast milk" or "the next best thing".
I think that's it for now on the subject. I can't think of anything that I've left out. If I do, I'll be sure to share it later on when I remember. For now, it's up in the air... I neither love it nor hate it. What's your opinion on nursing? How long did you nurse your kids for? Are you still currently nursing? What's your opinion with nursing in public? Do you pump as well? After what age did you start giving your child a bottle with breast milk?
23 comments:
the rings are so cool!! you know, you bring up some very valid points regarding breastfeeding. I'm curious to see what the moms who read your blog will say. I understand both sides. It seems as though it's kind of limiting and that sucks. It shouldn't be but that's easier said than done!
Hey Robyn :)
Thought I'd put in my 2 cents regarding the nursing (surprise!!)
I nursed Aidan to a year and am still nursing Liam at 7 months.
I think there is a somewhat unfair pressure on Mums to nurse for a really long time these days. I think, especially after giving it a fair try, if it's not for you, that's a-ok. Guilt free.
Re pain - I'd be tempted to get a second opinion - up to about a month I had pain on latch, which went away after a suck or two - it should NOT remain painful.
Re time consuming - I've loved the first few months as free reading time. Might be tougher with Sean around, but I got SO much reading done. Now tha he's more easily distracted it's less possible, but he's a more efficient feeder so it's not so long anyway.
Nursing in public is ok by me, now that we're pretty snappy with latch we don't bother with the shield most of the time, just slightly baggier/drapey shirts and no-one has ever commented (frequently people don't notice at all and want to chat or see the baby. funny) By the same token, if you're not comfy, you're not comfy and let down won't work as well etc - I have no advice about being stuck at home....that's a toughie.
Bottle - we started it with night feeds (baby mostly asleep, as we go to bed) around...um....four months? Probably best to do it awake, and earlier (around six weeks?) - and if Jamie's patient, get him to do it, it may go more smoothly. If you're going to pump much and don't already have one - GET A MECHANICAL PUMP. Don't try to hand pump large quantities - it's a pain in the bum.
Probably should have put all this in an email 'cos it's so long - don't post it if you don't want to :)
Wishing you the best. Do it if it makes you happy, don't if you don't. You've already given him a huge gift by trying as long as you have, anything else is gravy.
cheers - Kate
The nursing gets easier, some time between 6 and 10weeks old he will be able to be put near the breast and latch perfectly all by himself.
As he gets older it will take less and less time to nurse him. Sean may have only taken 10mins for a bottle, but that is not healthy for a baby so young. You have to pace them when they are that young so that a bottle takes at least 20 minutes, but really it should be longer. Otherwise they get too much too fast and will drink too much and can get sick too. It's not the natural flow that babies are meant to get mil.
I know a lot of moms who said they would do 3 months, and then at 3 months said 6, at 6 said 9, and then nursed all the way to a year or longer. I don't think it's something you can make a decision about until it happens!
Good luck, stick with it, and if you need something to cover those little newborn feet I have newborn shoes in my store (http://kayaskloset.com) and same shipping charges to Canada as the US!
Hey Robyn-
I am breastfeeding number three now, with my girls I did until about 12-15 months. The one thing I can say about it that I hope you hear is that it does get easier! The first 6 weeks or so are the hardest part, if you can make it that far then you can definitely do more (if you decide to). Every time he needs to up the supply you will be stuck holding and feeding him all day, but otherwise it does speed up (at 3 1/2 months I'm feeding him in about 15 minutes usually, at night I'm up for about half an hour and then back to bed - where it used to be an hour or more - and a couple of times a day he clusters the feedings and then falls asleep)
As far as public feeding goes I've decided it's all about how comfortable you are. Once you feel comfortable feeding him I have breastfed (discretely - not always with a blanket over his whole body, but making sure *I'm* not visible) anywhere people would pull out a bottle. In fact, that's my rule, if I think people would feed a baby a bottle where I am sitting, then I will feed him there. The only exception for me is if there are a lot of tween kids, then I feel a bit awkward and will sometimes move where I am.
Feel free to email me any specific questions! I'm trying to be a bit tactful, as my comment will be up here for everyone to see ;) ...and btw, mine is now regularly sleeping 5 hours or more at night, most nights. I'm almost feeling normal :) ...and don't worry too much about doing "everything wrong" sometimes I think all these experts had the exception child rather than one to base a rule on!
I don't want to make this a marathon comment but I have a 9 month old and I'm still nursing. I work so I pump 3x and nurse her 3x. I can tell you that around 6 weeks old the nursing became SO much easier! It was a sudden change where the let-down didn't hurt so bad my toes curled and I wasn't dreading it as much. My daughter also started sleeping 5-6 hours streches consistantly around 6 weeks and that made a ton of difference. After 9 months of nursing I still don't like doing it in public. There are special nursing tops you can buy that cover your exposed tummy and your baby's head will cover most of the exciting part of the boob. I started giving a bottle at 4 weeks because I knew she's be going to daycare at 4 months. We started a routine where Daddy would give her the bedtime bottle of pumped milk and I would pump at the same time in another room (me being close made her not want the bottle).
There's no science to this and you have to do what is right for you and Mack. I can tell you that I am so happy I stuck it out and I really will miss those close moments when she's latched on looking me in the eyes.
I love the rings!
As for breastfeeding, I obviously don't have an opinion yet. I really want to try once I have a baby though. No matter what you decide, I know Mack will be a happy, healthy baby.
i too am interested in what other moms are going to say. being a healthcare provider i obviously advocate for breastfeeding but as a woman i totally understand your points, especially the nursing in public. i am not sure how i would feel about that, either.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of a baby's life and continued nursing until one year. However, if you need to stop nursing at six weeks, you will have given your baby considerable advantage in terms of protecting her from various illnesses. Some breastfeeding is better than none at all! But if you can nurse for at least three months, I would suggest that you do so. You might do a combination of nursing and formula.
Sally Wendkos Olds
Author, THE COMPLETE BOOK OF BREASTFEEDING: Eiger & Olds, 3rd edition 1999, published by Workman Publishing & Bantam Books
in the end the decision is yours. you have to make the decision that is best for you and makes you happiest! that's a tough one though! hang in there! you will know what to do.
We already had the breasfeeding discussion, but I've got to say that it DOES get easier with time. Both you and the baby just eventually fall into a rhythm, which helps with breastfeeding in public, for instance (it never really bothered me much, but I hear where you're coming from). There are so many things to consider when you have a newborn, whatever you can do to make it easier on yourself and your family, that's gotta be best, right?
Robyn,
The chance of Mack taking a bottle of pumped milk and then not wanting to nurse again isn't too likely. If you pump it will make it easier for him to have a bottle so you don't have to nurse in public. Bear in mind that he migt not want to take the bottle from you; you smell like food to him after all. But yo can always let someone else give it to him.
You will feel things with nursing. Most of what you are feeling is "Let Down" and that is a good thing. Means your body is doing what is supposed to, and this will also reduce with time. As Mack gets older he will be ablr to re-latch by himself better and will go longer between feedings, both of these will make it easier to go out.
I am guessing that Sean may have also needed to have his tounge clipped, but you just didn't know it, thus why he couldn't nurse well. (Same thing happened to a friend with both of her boys. Didn't know about it for the first, did it for the second and realized it should have been done on the older one.)
If you are nursing on demand and he is growing, you don't really need to worry about how much he is getting. You body will automatically adjust how much and what kind of milk he needs according to his nursing demands, age, and health. (If you get a cold, you make more antibodies to help him form getting sick, etc.)
There are ways to use the time nursing to snuggle with Sean, read to him (like I mentioned before), talk t him about "life," what a special big brother he is for being so gentle to his baby brother, etc. Don't worry about what you are getting done for now, this time as him so little and needy really will be gone in just a month or two and you get so much help and suport from Jamie and your family it will all work out.
If you decide that nursing isn't for you , that is ok, you need ot do wha tis best for you, but don't worry over the feelings that are normal (I felt stuff with all three of mine) or how much they are growing. As long as he has a steady growth curve (even in the tenth percentile), he is doing ok. (My oldest ranged in the fifth to tenth for forever but was always at a fairly steady "on path" growth rate and healthy as a horse, so the doctor wasn't too worried.)
Teh biggest thing with bedtime is a consitant routine. Ours included bedtime books and my kids still don't go to sleep without reading to themselves first and the youngest is almost 20! Apperantly I made readers out of them (so much so that I have been known to take books away from them when they were little and wanted to read while walking across the parking lot!).
I know this is long, butI hope I was some help.
BBs/CoffeeYarn
Ok, you asked so I'm gonna tell. LOL
I didn't nurse my son at all. My ex-husband was an ass and informed me if I nursed him (which I had planned to do) that I would have to lock myself in our roomwhen our friends and family came to visit and that I would absolutely not be doing it in public. I decided then that I wasn't going to make myself uncomfortable or hide my baby just to make him happy and since he was abusive I didn't fight over it. It ended up working out ok in the end since I had blood clots in my legs and lungs after my section and was told if I was nursing I'd have to stop. How's that for the perfect case of "everything happens for a reason" huh?
When I had my middle baby I was working full time plus. I nursed for the few weeks I was home and then pumped while I was at work so she would still get breast milk. It was very painful when I first started nursing her but I also had an infection and that seemed to make it worse. Once we both got the hang of it things were definitely better. I also worked close enough to home that I was able to nurse at lunch. I was very uncomfortable nursing around just family but I think it was more because of my ex than me. With me working crazy hours though we didn't have the opportunity to go places often so that wasn't much of a concern. She nursed until she was 6 months. Then she bit me. Hard enough that she drew blood. I quit pumping because it hurt too badly and she became an exlusively formula bottle fed baby. She didn't seem to miss a beat. I left my ex just shortly (like within a week or so) after all this happened so again, it all worked out.
My last baby nursed until she was just a bit past 3 years. Yup, YEARS. It was the most wonderful experience in the world and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I haven't worked outside our home since before she was born so I didn't feel there was any reason to make her stop until she was ready. I was dreading the pain at the beginning but there was none with her at all other than the occassional blocked duct (which was very mild) but that was easily cleared with massage and/or hot compresses. She didn't start eating anything other than breast milk until she was well over a year old, maybe even pushing close to 2. She didn't gain much weight at all and though I was quite concerned our pediatrician wasn't at all. He kept telling me she was more than healthy and not to worry. She's still thin but not sickly thin. She's in the 50th percentile for both weight and height. She was never sick while she was nursing and now when she does get something it's not usually bad enough to even warrant a trip to the doctor. My wonderful hubby completely supported me in my decision to nurse and I had no trouble doing it in public. It just felt right this time.
If we have more I will absolutely breastfeed again without hesitation. It's amazing how healthy and smart breastfed babies are. And don't worry about how much weight Mack is or isn't gaining. Some women have more fat in their milk than others and that is a huge factor in how much weight they gain. We're all different and so aren't our babies. :-)
I'm a staunch supporter of breastfeeding, but I'm not a boob-nazi or whatever. I think everyone should make their own choices and do what's best for themselves and their families. I don't judge anyone who chooses not to BF, but I think it's great if people at least give it a try.
I thought for sure I'd breastfeed June for at least a year, but it didn't quite work out that way. Shortly after she was born, she choked on some mucus in her lungs and turned kind of blue. She did it again a few hours later, so they made her stay in the "Special Care Nursery" or ICU or whatever they are called. Because of that, they were monitoring her really closely, even though she was totally fine. She was losing a lot of weight though (as all newborns do) and not wetting her diapers because my milk hadn't come in yet so they said that they had to supplement with formula so she would gain some weight if I wanted to take her home. In retrospect, I wish I had stood my ground and said no, but I just wanted to go home with my baby.
It was a mistake because as soon as she had the bottle, she really didn't want anything to do with the boob. Firstly, she had a HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE painful latch. Nursing was excruciatingly painful for me. I went to see many lactation consultants to try to get it corrected, but June was just really lazy. She didn't want to nurse because it took too long to get the milk. If I have her a bottle of formula, it was instant gratification. After a little while, she would want to nurse when she was sleepy, but she wouldn't suck really hard enough to get a lot of milk, it was just comfort nursing. When she was HUNGRY she wanted a bottle of formula. I pumped around the clock, but never could produce enough milk that way. I barely got an ounce or two ever. Because June wasn't nursing well and I couldn't get much from the pump, my supply started to go way down. A few weeks after I went back to work, it completely dried up.
So I only nursed June for about 3-4 months, supplemented with the formula. I would have kept nursing her as long as she wanted to if the milk didn't dry up. Once my milk dried up completely, June had no interest in nursing anymore (a relief in some ways since it meant an end to the excruciating nipple pain, but sad also because I really enjoyed the closeness with her).
I think I'd have had a better chance at nursing long-term if I was able to afford to be a Stay-at-home mom, but it was really difficult for me to try to pump at work all the time, and like I said, my supply was low from the beginning and I could hardly ever get anything from pumping so it felt like such a waste of time.
I didn't have a big problem nursing in public, but June was born in the middle of the winter so we didn't really go out that often and when we did, like if we were at a restaurant or something, I'd give her a bottle if she was hungry anyway, so I think I only nursed in public a handful of times and every time I just kind of covered up with a receiving blanket, it wasn't a big deal to me.
So the short form (ha, yeah right) is that if I had it to do over again, I would probably refuse formula at the hospital and work harder to get our latch corrected so that we could have successfully nursed longer, but no matter what I still would have had to go back to work, so I don't know what would have happened after that point.
I am sure you will come to the right decision for your family.
Hi Robyn... I only have one daughter as she is 14 months old. I tried to nurse, but was unable to. I never bought a pump. Since she was my first, I didn't want to waste the money in case I was unable to nurse her. My opinions are exactly what yours are. I wanted my husband to be able to help more. And it takes so long vs bottle feeding. My view on nursing in public is the same also. I have no problem with other people doing it... but it just isn't for me. I really had issues also with not knowing how mush she was getting. I afraid that I was starving her. I know that I am probably not helping much, but I want you to know that other people do have the same problems. You are not alone. I'm sure that there are plenty of other "more experienced" mothers out there that will have better information for you. I'm sure that you will make the right decision, no matter what it may be. Don't worry about it. It will work itself out. Talk to you soon.
Oh, I just emailed my comment to you! haha! Hang in there - it's not always easy but it's so worth it!
As for the jealousy thing, I used to give my 2 year old jobs to "help" me with the breastfeeding. He would get me a bottle of water off the table (left there, just for this purpose) and it was his job to "read" books or tell the baby stories while he nursed.
I also had games/toys that my older on could only have while I was nursing the little one. We'll called it the nursing box and my older one actually started looking forward to "nursing box time"
Breastfeeding... I probably shouldn't really comment in a public space because I'm still trying to figure out my own opinions, and I would likely come across as judgemental...
But, as an exclusively pumping mommy, I will say that the "convenience" of breastfeeding sure looks great from this side of the fence - maybe the grass is greener over there, but it looks nice :)
Oh, and my pediatrician recommended (back at the beginning) that if you're going to introduce a bottle at all, it should be around 4 weeks - once the breastfeeding is established but before the baby becomes so used to it that they refuse the bottle (which is apparently common if you wait until 4-6 months). Something to think about!
Breastfeeding... I probably shouldn't really comment in a public space because I'm still trying to figure out my own opinions, and I would likely come across as judgemental...
But, as an exclusively pumping mommy, I will say that the "convenience" of breastfeeding sure looks great from this side of the fence - maybe the grass is greener over there, but it looks nice :)
Oh, and my pediatrician recommended (back at the beginning) that if you're going to introduce a bottle at all, it should be around 4 weeks - once the breastfeeding is established but before the baby becomes so used to it that they refuse the bottle (which is apparently common if you wait until 4-6 months). Something to think about!
Hi Robyn,
Breastfeeding is different for everyone and even every baby. I nursed 3. One for 11 months, one for 4 months and one for almost 18 months. I've had all of the same problems you are experiencing with one baby or the other. I too did not feel comfortable nursing in public so I nursed in the fitting rooms at stores if I was out (great privacy and nobody ever cared). After nursing a few months, I'd nurse occasionally in public, but never b00b out for all to see, if you know what I mean. It's just that after you've done it awhile, like others have mentioned, you and the baby are pros at it. I also nursed in the car before getting out if I was somewhere w/o a fitting room. Here in the US there are places that have nursing rooms (sometimes). As far as the soreness on the left side, I had the same exact problem and a nurse figured it out for me...Since I'm right handed, I would hold the baby up to latch and as normal, but as my arm got tired, the baby would sag back down to my lap and the extra pulling, always on the left side, caused a chronically sore nipple. I nursed exclusively on my side in bed for 3 days or so avoid ALL pulling and then went back to chairs with some well placed pillows. So correcting my positioning and being conscious of my tendency to droop my left arm eased the soreness completely after a few weeks. Boredom bugged me too. I agree with the post about reading (and knitting) during nursing. I ended up looking forward to nursing time. My first baby wanted to nurse for an hour too and my doc said he wasn't actually eating as much as he was using the breast as a pacifier. He had me do 7 minutes on the first side and 7-10 minutes on the second. This worked out perfectly and he nursed productively after a few days (was gained weight at a good rate, too). Good luck and know that what ever you do, you are always a good mom!!!!=] Bren
I think that giving up trying to breastfeed right now would be selfish. I can promise you that the discomfort will go away. If you are serious about giving him the best nutrition, then you should stop the bottle and formula feeding. Bottles need to go away so that you and him can be confident in breastfeeding.
If you do not like to feed in public, go to a non public place. used to go sit in the car if I was in a situation that made me uncomfortable. Bottom line.... if you want to breastfeed, then you can do it. It takes work, but you have to decide if you want to do what is best for your baby.
My first son was born while my husband was in the Army. He deployed to Iraq when I was 8 1/2 months pregnant and wasn't there for the birth of our first child. Needless to say the whole thing was not a pleasant experience. I did breastfeed my son but he cried all the time and did not gain any weight. I think at three months old he wasn't even back to his birth weight yet all the military dr's kept saying just keep at it and feed him more often. Well that didn't work so I ended up moving in with my brother and his wife until my husband came home and the dr I had in Ohio was completely the opposite. He was shocked that the military dr's didn't recommend to supplement with formula. I was so done with breastfeeding at this time I just went straight to formula. My son instantly started gaining weight and growing. Poor little boy was so hungry. Anyway he's fine now. I didn't breastfeed my second son at all because I had such a bad experience the first time around and my sons are both happy and healthy. I know breastfeeding is the best thing for baby, but there are situations when things don't work out and formula is the best thing for everyone involved. You have to decide for yourself and don't let anyone try to make you feel guilty either way.
Coming out of lurking mode here. I am a friend of Kileigh7 and have been following your blog for some time now.
First of all Mazel Tov on Mack gaining weight and doing so well. Second a big hug to you as you try to decide whether or not nursing is right for you and your family.
When my oldest son (almost 5) was born he would not latch on to save my life. I tried every trick in the book and actually had a lactation consultant tell me to just give it up. Well I decided that I was not going to do that. For NHL (my son's initials - see I'm a hockey fan too)I pumped for him exclusively for about 3 months and then he finally learned to latch with a shield and eventually nothing. NHL got very sick when he was 11 months old and due to the illness my milk supply was lost and he weaned.
My little guy just turned 14 months and we are still going strong. He is down to only nursing 2-4 times a day, but still is quite attached to his milk. Again nursing was not easy with JSL. He would not latch. I pumped for his first 4-6 weeks and then he eventually learned to latch like a pro, first with shield and then without.
Nursing is tough on us, nobody will ever say it is easy. You get sore, you are needed every few hours to nurse, you leak, you may get mastitis. . . the "lovely" possibilities are endless. However, the time to bond with your baby is priceless. I was much like you, I do not have a problem with public nursing, but it is not for me. I would nurse my boys right before heading out, bring some expressed milk with us if needed when going out for long periods of time, or sit in the car with the boppy in back if needed. Last summer I spent most of my time home because it was just too much of a hassle in my book to try to take my almost 4 year old and nursing infant out.
Remember, no matter what anyone else says this is only a decision that you and possibly Mack can make. You have to do what is best for you. Lots of people, like yourself with Sean, formula feed and the kids do great. If the stress of nursing is too much that is not healthy either. Only you can weigh the pros and cons in your own life.
Good luck!
Robyn,
Check with your Pediatrician or the hospital you delivered at and see if there is a breastfeeding support group/lactation consultant. My hospital offers a support group every Tuesday, so moms and babes can come and share their experiences and fears/successes. Maybe they could help evaluate your latch and sore nipples.
Yay Mack!! I'm so happy he is gaining weight!
Love the rings. Sparkly is good. Big is good too. :)
If the book advice doesn't sound right you definitely don't have to follow it. The next book will probably say something different anyway!
I think you have legitimate concerns about the breast feeding. Honestly, its really not for everyone and you shouldn't feel like you have to just because its what's expected. Sean did just fine on the mix and then just the formula. Look how he's grown!! Just do what is comfortable and best for you. Maybe feeding a bottle at night and breast all day would be a better fit because if you are sleeping more at night maybe the day time won't be as huge a deal.
I'm so behind on my blog reading, I didn't do almost any last week when I was home with Jakob!
I totally hear you on the breastfeeding in public thing. I'd tried 2 different wrap/cover ups for in public, and since Jakob always delatched, I'd have to see him to put him back on, and end up exposed for a second or two anyways. There was one that had a gap at the top so I could see him...but it still didn't work so great. The easiest thing I found was to sit with my back to the crowds, and get him on as fast as possible, and once he was on, just take a receiving blanket and drape it over him.
Once he got older (over 5 months) and wanted to look around at everything while drinking (even to pull off and look around) I would leave earlier for wherever I was going, and feed him in the car when I got there, so I wouldn't have to do it in public. I've fed him in almost every parking lot in the West Island! :)
I'm like Jennifer, incredibly behind on blog reading. Mack is incredibly adorable, just like his big brother Sean. He looks like he has, what I call piano fingers, incredibly long.
Hope all is well
Karen
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